What a day at Ponteland

Ponteland 2nds 33 Alnwick 3rds 7

What a game of rugby at Ponteland to open up November. Some great rugby played by both sides, a couple of red cards, good tries, excellent kicking and a father and son combo running mazy lines.
Alnwick had a couple of late cry offs and were a player short but Pont loaned one to even things up. On a great day to play rugby and on 1st xv pitch Pont kicked off and made a hash of it not 10 scrum back , allowing both packs to lock horns and test for each other`s weaknesses. This was one area where it was very competitive all afternoon, hard fought and no quarter given as it should be Alnwick forwards with the advantage of age and size were a formidable driving team lead by their skipper Scott who led from the front, Pont meanwhile looked to have a slight advantage in pace and this was a great advantage on a breezy but sunny afternoon. Playing with the wind Pont settled down quicker and after some decent ball the livewire Oscar Redman burst through to score after Jonny Murphy who appeared to have lost all his studs slipped after making a great linebreak. A nicely struck conversion by Will McGawley 7-0 . trademark run by Olly Dykes had him over by the posts again converted and another wriggler by the ever reliable O Redman had pont up 19-0 after 22 mins . Alnwick meanwhile had been driving players hard up into the 22, against the tackle happy Pont team who kept putting guys down and Alnwick were very unlucky not to score in this period, a couple of chances going begging with knock ons with guys in space. Half time approached and a flare up occurred with two guys having a visit to disciplinary hearing, one requiring a few stitches on route, one from each side. This was totally unexpected in a game that was hard, fair and being played in excellent spirit. After a short break it was decided to have half time and the chat was based on “this game is not won yet” wind against and an Alnwick team who were never going to give up . The skipper Rob Earnshaw who is getting a bit of form back being injury free prob helping was pulling the strings well at the base and forming a good partnership with mr reliable Redhead at s half . The second half was played as if nothing had happened before the break Alnwick charging forward and being stopped in their tracks by Jack Spells who had a great game in lineout and loose and the indescribably ebullient Simon Grant who just tackles and works his socks off (with a big smile on his face) like a prowling tiger. After 50 mins Oscar had company with his dad Alan entering the fray now Pont had two stepping outside backs linking up well and searching for space, this is the 1st time they had played together in a senior game and both were in their element enjoying the experience with a very proud dad. Oscar soon had his 3rd try following up a good handling movement with forwards and backs involved .After waiting for nearly a minute MrMcG had to try a drop goal from the touchline and what a peach it was just on his range but dissecting the posts beautifully . Alnwick proved they were still a formidable force with a well worked try in the corner creating the chance through good forward play and down the line with good handling ,their kicker struck the con perfectly but a knock in the build up meant a dazed Alnwick prop leaving the fray. Alex Clark offered his services and the battle continued. Phil Redhead got ponts last try after a dazzling run by Strom beating about 20 defenders in a mazy darting run of 50 metres which reminded us of his ability only thing missing was the sprint to the line but the support was good and Will`s trusty boot added the extras.There was no more scoring but alot of tired bodies who had given their all on both sides Pont having big smiles with a win and Alnwick lads with their heads held high knowing the scoreline didn`t reflect the effort put in.
Pont 2s have the making of a decent side which is starting to gel a mixture of youth experience and starting to believe in themselves. The older heads of Jonny G Chris Pete C, Rob E ,Rob C Phil Will and Strom with the youth of C Searle, Phil McA, Jack Spells. Oscar. Jordan Varah and E Mew Granty ,Olly if we can stay clear of injuries and un availabilities who knows what lies ahead 
Special mention to Stevie Mugford ,Andrew Watson and Alex Clark for stints helping out a grateful Alnwick side
Mom Jack Spells
dick of day Jonny Murphy twice through running great lines only to slip at try time 5 metres short
Team J Goodfellow P Curry C Steven A Clark J Varah S Grant J Spells R Earnshaw P Redhead W McGawley C Lane O Dykes D Stromsoy J Murphy O Redman R Charlton A Redman A Watson S Mugford D Leathard
Next game 8th November Sunderland 2s Away Aln Lge game 2-15 ko